chapter two
1046 Words
The tenth sigh escaped Lisa's mouth as she leaned on the office chair. She peeped out of her office, watching everyone disperse for lunch.
She did not only force herself to leave her bed in the morning, she also whispered silent prayers to not bump into Todd or Karla, and luckily, her prayers were answered.
She let out her eleventh sigh as she pushed herself up and grabbed her phone and mini wallet on the table, then stepped out of her office, heading to the elevator.
As the door dinged open, she walked into the elevator, not minding the presence that was there before her.
She tapped on the ground floor, then relaxed on the walls, turned her head slightly to acknowledge the person next to her, and then she paused as her eyes widened in shock.
It was Seth.
His eyes were glued to his phone as usual, but this time with an earpod in his ear.
She slowly turned her head forward, thinning her lips and covering her face slightly with her layered bangs.
"Good afternoon to you too," Seth spoke with a sigh like he had just escaped from a deep thought.
Lisa squeezed her eyes shut and then bit on her lips, holding back a shriek.
"Good afternoon, sir." She dropped, adjusting her hair behind her ears and stealing a glance.
Seth nodded, his eyes still glued to his phone, and then the elevator dinged, and he walked out.
Lisa sighed, then slowly followed behind him.
She dropped her hand in her brown blazer as she walked out of the company.
She scrolled through her phone as she shuffled around, escaping the bumps of people around her, then looked up and stood at a line in front of a food truck.
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. I don't eat as much as you think."
Lisa heard a familiar voice and then scanned her surroundings in search of the voice.
"Oh, Lisa," Karla called out from behind her.
Of all times and places to see them, it had to be at lunch. It's like their mission was to make her lose her appetite.
Lisa turned around, meeting eyes first with Karla, then Todd.
"Oh my, what do we do?" Karla started, looking down at the bag. "You always get the full beef sandwich here, but we got the last of it."
Lisa shot a glare at Todd, then sighed." It's fine, Karla. I'll go somewhere else." She replied, turning to leave.
"No." Karla reached for her, grabbing her hand but was immediately shoved back.
"What the hell, Lisa!" Todd yelled.
Lisa turned around and watched Karla rub her hand while Todd held it up, scanning it, with worry plastered on his face.
"I just wanted to offer you mine. I know how much you like it. You eat here everyday." Karla pouted, reaching for the sandwich and stretching it towards her.
"Why would you do that? She just tried to hurt you. " Todd grabbed the sandwich and shoved it back in the bag.
"She wouldn't even appreciate it. She's not worth your kindness, " Todd added.
Lisa scoffed, then fully turned back to face them, but this time, the crowd in line had already focused their attention on them.
"You're one to talk," Lisa retorted.
"Please, let's not get into this. Focus on your own problems for once." Todd snapped.
"My problems? Tell your girlfriend to stop pretending like we're friends. " Lisa fumed.
"Not everyone is as selfish as you are, Lisa. "Todd yelled.
"Selfish?–" Lisa scoffed.
"The both of you have to stop this. We're in public. " Karla pleaded as she tried to pull Todd back.
"I'm sorry for grabbing you without warning." Karla turned to Lisa.
"Let's go, sweetie."
She grabbed Todd by the arm, and they both walked away, leaving Lisa with teary ears and a mummering crowd.
She turned around, hiding her face from the people who kept staring, and she marched away from there.
Meanwhile, Seth sat in his car, watching her leave with teary eyes. Again, he had stumbled upon her life crumbling, which left him with the familiar feeling, tugging at his chest.
Then he paused, glanced at the missed call from Robert then a small smile made it's way to his face.
He changed his gears and turned his car around, searching the streets for where Lisa had turned.
Then he spotted her, swerved the car, and stepped on the break, catching her attention on the sidewalk.
"Get in." Seth called out.
"Me?" Lisa asked, looking around while pointing at herself.
But Seth just stared at her.
"Oh, okay." she got into the car and shut the door a little too loud, giving her a jolt while she shot a glance at him.
"Join me for lunch," Seth announced.
"Huh?" Lisa snapped her head at him. "Why?"
Seth's brows furrowed, and then he finally turned his head fully towards her.
"Sir," Lisa added with a gulp.
Seth sighed then turned off his engine.
"I'll just be honest, " he started, adjusting himself on his seat and removing his seatbealt.
"I want to help you."
"Excuse me?" Lisa c****d her head to the side.
"I hate assholes that hurt people and justify their reasons. " Seth continued.
"I' will stop you there. " Lisa sighed. "I really appreciate your care and concerns. But I don't need a knight in shining armor. "
"That is not what i want," Seth replied.
"Then why are you trying to help me?" She retorted, raising her voice slightly, her eyes flickering from anger to pain. "My life isn't some experiment."
"That's fine. I'm sorry."
Seth leaned back on his seat while Lisa looked out the window, trying to control her breathing. Not only did she just yell at her boss, but she felt like she would have done it again if he continued talking.
"Why do you want to help me?" Lisa asked quietly.
"Because i also need something from you" Seth replied.
Lisa turned around and glared at him, regretting why she even tried to hear him out.
"I want you." Seth started, cutting Lisa off guard.
"What do you mean? " Lisa's brows furrowed.
"I need you,actually. For three years at least "
- Writer
